Businessmen offer $1,500 for new ‘Open for Business’ sign

KITTERY, Maine — A group of businessmen has ponied up $1,500 to buy a new “Open for Business” sign replacing one that disappeared from the side of Interstate 95 in southern Maine.

Gov. Paul LePage was on hand when the original sign was installed in March in Kittery, symbolizing his commitment to creating jobs. A spokeswoman said LePage is considering replacing the sign now that businessmen in the rock and gravel industries came up with money for a replacement.

State police say they have several leads on the stolen sign.

A tongue-in-cheek advertisement appeared briefly Thursday on Craiglist offering a “right-wing political sign” for $1,000. The ad says the seller would trade for a “multi-panel mural depicting the labor movement,” referring to a mural LePage removed from the state Labor Department.